Phl seafarers banned from sailing in Red Sea

Filipino seafarers are now barred from boarding foreign vessels sailing the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) yesterday issued an order prohibiting the deployment of Filipino seafarers onboard passenger and cruise ships set to sail through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

DMW released the order after the International Transport Workers' Federation and International Bargaining Forum included the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the list of "War-like Zones" or WLZs.

Under Department Order No. 2, licensed manning agencies (LMAs) are required to sign an "affirmation letter" guaranteeing that the vessels Filipino seafarers are set to board will not navigate the volatile sea lanes.

The letter, along with the vessel's detailed itinerary, shall be submitted to the DMW during the documentation of crew employment contracts or before their deployment.

"The order intends to keep Filipino seafarers out of harm's way," the DMW said.

Filipino seafarers listed as crewmembers onboard the vessels must also sign the affirmation letter acknowledging their vessel will not enter the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden.